Eyeliner

Eyeliner: What to Use and When to Use it

February 25, 2013

I’ll be perfectly honest with you. I don’t do eyeliner for daily use. I have no patience for it and with my monolid eyes, you can see why. Unfortunately, I have to accept the truth that on certain occasions where I want to look hot, the addition of putting on eyeliner is enough to make you look sexy. I’m thinking 60’s kohl eyes hot. So, I’ve done a bit of shopping and realized that there are many kinds of eyeliner out there and I don’t know what to use. Thanks to the magical Internet, I’ve compiled the list of the common 4 and make suggestions with the brands I love. Let this be a guide, but not the rule.

1. Pencil: One you can use every day. Affordable and it does the work to look casually glam. Nothing too dramatic, just practical, does the job of trying to look good without much effort. Personal favorite and so darn cheap: e.l.f Miracle Eye liner

2. Liquid: Pain in the ass if you do not have precision of steel. Liquid eyeliner are great when you want to go bold, but treat it like a calligraphy pen. Without great hand co-ordination, you’re going to have a huge mess in your hand and it is difficult to take it off. Take it from someone with experience with this precarious product. It takes a very delicate touch. On the other hand, I’ve seen friends that have use liquid liners with no problems and awesome results. It really gives your eyes a sharp look. And if done right, it has a flawless finish. Just remember to use a strong make up remover at the end of the night. I emphasis strong because once I’ve used a gentle make up remover to no avail and the next day, I looked like I got punched in the eyes. They recommend: Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

3. Gel Eyeliner: A winner in my eyes (literally and figuratively speaking). Relatively mess free as long as you use a proper brush. It comes in a small pot and the texture is rather thick but pliable. You can do whatever effects you please with this product (think cat eyes and kohl), although I would not suggest it for everyday use. It can definitely have a similar effect of leaving a strikingly bold dark lines like liquid eyeliner does so long as you have the right brush. I love: Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner

4. Kohl: Rarely used unless I go to a 60’s themed party or I feel gothic. Great application if you want the smoky eyes look, and maybe a come hither look when you’re doing a black and white photo. Hey, whatever, floats your boat. I personally like to keep it simple when I go about my day. But it is useful to have in your bag, cause in life, you never know. Kohl pencils tend to be thicker since it allows you to slightly smudge yet narrow enough to give you precise lines. I find on application, you must re-apply every couple of hours since they do not stay on easily. I recommend: M.A.C Eye Kohl.

Share your favorite eyeliner below!

NEW! Dior Backstage Adhesive Eyeliner Patches

September 5, 2011

Applying liquid eyeliner is a skill best suited for those with steady hands, not a skill that I possess. So what’s a beauty girl to do when the hottest Fall 2011 trend is the seductive cat-eye look?

Enter the new Dior Backstage Eyeliners-To-Wear Multi-Wear Adhesive Eyeliner Patches. These eyeliner “patches” were carefully crafted by Dior makeup artists and were designed to transfer like a temporary tattoo. The designs range from matte-black to the more decadent, lacquered finish with sparkling Swarovski crystals.

The set includes:

4 pairs of eyeliner patches: 2 black ones, 1 all pasted with anthracite grey crystals, 1 black with white crystals
Small Glue

Directions:

Apply Eyeliners-to-Wear to dry, makeup-free skin.
Gently remove the eyeliner patch from the silicone backing.
Place the patch on the curve of the eyelid, pressing lightly to ensure perfect adhesion. For optimal hold, apply the glue to the back of the eyeliner patches with the foam tip before use. Then, place the patches on the curve of the eyelid.
To remove the patch, simply lift it delicately from the eyelid while holding the outer corner of the eye in place.
After use, return the patch to the silicone backing to store the patch and to maintain its adhesive properties.

These eyeliner patches are exclusively available Beauty Insiders at Sephora and Sephora.com. Will you be picking up a set?

Dior Backstage Eyeliners-To-Wear Multi-Wear Adhesive Eyeliner Patches, $59

Spring has sprung with the Elizabeth Arden Bronze in Bloom collection

May 2, 2011

Swatches of Elizabeth Arden Bronze in Bloom

With the Summer “Bronzing” season upon us, it’s time to switch up our makeup palette. We all know that looking healthy is great but tanning, not so much. Well that’s why makeup was invented to subtly highlight and add to our own beauty. Well this season Elizabeth Arden brings sophistication to the Spring season with their new limited edition Bronze in Bloom collection. Looking at the collection unboxed, there is a fun and whimsical approach to the packaging.

Elizabeth Arden Bronze in Bloom

The Color Intrigue Eyeshadow Quad is available in two Spring appropriate quartets: Golden Lilac and Blue Breeze. The shades in the Golden Lilac palette range from pale lilac to deep gray. The Blue Breeze palette offers petal perfect hues of blue.

Elizabeth Arden Golden Lilac Color Intrigue Eyeshadow Quad

Elizabeth Arden Blue Breeze Color Intrigue Eyeshadow Quad

This Spring season is all about an orange or coral hued lip for the Spring. Elizabeth Arden’s High Shine Lip Gloss interprets this trend in a barely there shade, Tropicoral. The formula gives just a subtle hint of color with a brilliant shine.

Elizabeth Arden High Shine lip gloss #20 Tropicoral

The Blue Sky and Black Violet Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil colors are a welcome change from a basic black kohl eyeliner. This pencil has the eyeliner on one end and a smudge tip on the opposite end to create a smoky eye look. These pencils have excellent staying power without a lot of additional prep. I tend to stay away from kohl liners because they can smudge quite a bit but these liners look great after hours of wear.

Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil Swatches

The star of the collection is the Pure Finish Mineral Bronzing Powder. The Bronzing Powder allows for the gradual release of the appropriate amount of product and less mess. It’s also all all over type of powder that can be used on your cheeks and well as your decolletage. The formula has sea water, aloe, Vitamin A, C and E but it does not contain any talc or added fragrance. The most notable feature is that there is not a lot of glitter added so the color is a bit more natural.

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Bronzing Powder

Nothing says fresh like sun-kissed coral, the Pure Finish Mineral Cheekcolor adds just the right amount of warmth for a healthy looking glow. This powder is so incredibly light that even if you are heavy-handed in your makeup application you just can’t get this wrong. The mini compact comes with it own angled mini kabuki brush which gives a surprisingly good application. I usually forgo using the provided makeup applicators that come with new products and use my own however in this case the brush is perfect.

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Cheekcolor Sunkissed Coral

As the weather gets warmer, I look forward to the subtle beauty of Spring and my makeup routine is no different. What new makeup have you added to your beauty repertoire?

Disclosure: The products featured in this review were provided for editorial consideration. Receipt of this product did not guarantee review and all opinions are my own.

Guerlain gives good packaging: Summer 2011 Collection

April 22, 2011

Guerlain is known for giving some of the best cosmetic packaging on the market and their Summer 2011 collection is no different. Each piece is a miniature work of art with artistically conceived makeup on the inside. Each collection has products that stand out to me. For the Summer 2011 collection it’s the ribbon detailing on the Khol Kajal liner and the Incan qompi pattern that appears woven into the Terre Indigo eyeshadow. Guerlains’ artistry truly amazes me every time. Let’s take a closer look at the new collection:

Ombre Fusion Cream Eyeshadow – This formula offers the richness of a crème shadow combined with the softness of a powder formula. What’s different about these eyeshadows you ask. Well they were created especially for the Summer season. Yes ladies these eyeshadows are heat-resistant and created to stay put for hours. They’re available in three shades: Rose, Bronze, Taupe

Rose

Guerlain Spring 2011 Eyeshadow bronze

Guerlain Spring 2011 Eyeshadow taupe

Terra Inca Star Powder is a highlighter and bronzer all in one. The combination of the highlighting golden beige and the copper-tinted pink bronzer has a pearl like finish to keep you looking luminescent on those hot summer nights. This powder gives your skin a healthy iridescent glow which is a nice alternative to baking in the suns’ harmful rays.

Guerlain Spring 2011 Terrainca Poudre

Terre Indigo 4-Shade Eyeshadow – Out of the entire collection this is my must have item. Guerlain translates the colorful tribal patterns seen on the runways and reinterprets the trend by creating an interlacing pattern into a single eyeshadow palette. The vibrant orange, intense blue, deep brown, chocolate-brown and gold can be used separately or together.

Spring 2011 Guerlain makeup fard terrainca

Terracotta Gloss – These neon sheer shades are free of sparkles and are packed with pigments. Many glosses rely on tiny sparkles to give the glosses extra shine but this forumla does not, which is a plus for me. The new shades are trend on featuring three shades in Orange, Rose and Rouge.

Guerlain gloss terra inca orange

Guerlain gloss terra inca rose

Guerlain gloss terra inca rouge

Khol Kajal – the cult favorite eyeliner returns with its ultra-pigmented formula. This is not your typical pencil eyeliner, dressed in an iridescent tube adorned with orange and brown satin makes it a beautiful addition to your vanity or makeup bag.

Guerlain Spring 2011 Kohl liner

The collection will be available May 1st at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and at Bergdorf Goodman. Which product is your favorite?

Shu Uemura Florescent Fall Makeup

August 11, 2010

There are just some things that I lust for and makeup palettes are one of those things. Palettes are an easy way to care your favorite essentials in a neat (pretty) little case. Shu Uemura has two gorgeous eye and cheek palettes for the Fall, Florescent makeup by Uchiide. The first of these two floral set is the Graceful Bloom Palette which includes four pressed eyeshadows, two cream eyeshadow/eye liners, a cream blush and two applicators. This palette features a beautiful gradation of purple shades and an accent of green and yellow, just like a flower!

shu uemura graceful bloom palette — Graceful Bloom Palette

The second palette for the Fall is the Dreamy Petal palette which is much warmer with shades of red, pinks and gold. This palette also includes four pressed eyeshadows, two cream eyeshadow/eye liners, a cream blush and two applicators

shu uemura dreamy petal palette — Dreamy Petal Palette

To top off this fantasy floral inspired look, Shu Uemura brings out Partial Floral Feather eyelashes. These lashes combine purple and red “feathers” to give the illusion of fluttering petals with each blink. These lashes will give you that wow factor when you really want your eyes to “pop”.

With purple being HUGE this Fall, the Graceful Bloom palette should be a big hit. I love how the outside of the palette is beautifully decorated with floral designs bringing the theme of the palette full circle. I am looking forward to Fall especially for the beautiful makeup and fashion that I love so much. Which of these two palettes is your favorite?

shu eumura partial floral feather eyelashes — Partial Feather Floral Eyelashes

Each limited edition palette retails for $65 and the eyelashes retail for $25. All products are available on the Shu Uemura website.